NORFOLK, Va. — The Department of Defense (DoD) has said that poor health and nutrition are growing challenges for the U.S. military that threaten readiness and the ability to retain a fit and healthy force.
That's why the DoD implemented the color-coded "Go for Green" and "Fueled to Fight" nutrition labeling programs at its dining facilities.
The idea is to help service members easily identify healthier food options.
In March, 13News Now got an up-close look at the system at the galley at Naval Station Norfolk.
Food Service Officer Chief Warrant Officer 3 Larry Lovell said: "It's very important because fresh fruits and vegetables, that is a part of a healthy human. And sailors, Army, soldiers, we all are entitled to have the fuel that they need to fight the mission."
But a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) raises questions about how well the program is being carried out.
From July 2022 to June 2024, the GAO visited 19 dining facilities at military installations and found that they had not fully implemented the required program elements.
The GAO observed examples of color and sodium codes that were missing, not standardized, or improperly placed at 14 facilities.
The GAO found at 16 of the 19 dining facilities they visited food service program officials told auditors that food service staff had not been trained on "Go for Green" or "Fueled to Fight" as required.
"Such inconsistency may contribute to suboptimal food choices and service member confusion or distrust in the labeling programs," the GAO concluded.
The GAO made 16 recommendations, including for the services to establish nutrition program guidance.